Jon Flanagan tipped to play his first Liverpool match for 629 days

It has been a long time coming for Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan but according to the Liverpool Echo he could be set for his first Reds appearance for 629 days.

That is a huge amount of time for anyone to wait as they recover from injury and Liverpool fans across the globe will no doubt be wishing the young full-back the best of luck if he does take to the field against Exeter City on Wednesday evening.

Jurgen Klopp’s club welcome the League Two side to Anfield for a FA Cup third round replay after a much changed Liverpool team drew 2-2 in the first match.

This time round Klopp is expected to go with a few more familiar faces, but he could also give a run out to 23-year-old Flanagan, who has been blighted by injuries since making his breakthrough back in 2013.

Back then Flanagan excelled at both right-back and on the opposite flank and how Klopp could do with the tough tackler now.

Of course he is going to take plenty of time to return to full match fitness, but if he can get through the game against Exeter unscathed it will be a huge step in the right direction.

This season will be all about getting Flanagan playing again, little and often, with next season the one when Liverpool supporters could see him back to his best if all goes well.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.